jīgòu: 机构 - Organization, Institution, Agency

• Keywords: jigou, 机构, Chinese for organization, Chinese for institution, Chinese for agency, what does jigou mean, Chinese government agency, financial institution in Chinese, HSK 4 vocabulary.
• Summary: An essential HSK 4 term, 机构 (jīgòu) is the formal Chinese word for an “organization,” “institution,” or “agency.” It refers to any structured entity, from government bodies and financial institutions like banks, to non-profits and internal company departments. Understanding 机构 is key to navigating the official, business, and administrative landscapes of modern China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jī gòu
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: 4
• Concise Definition: A structured organization, institution, or agency, typically with a formal or official capacity.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 机构 (jīgòu) as the “official” word for any established group with a specific purpose and an internal structure. It feels more formal and concrete than the English “group.” It's the word you'd use for a bank, a government bureau, a research center, or an international body like the UN. If it has a nameplate on a building and a defined function, it's likely a 机构.

• 机 (jī): Originally referred to the complex mechanism of a loom. Today, its meaning has expanded to “machine,” “mechanism,” “opportunity,” or “crucial point.” It contributes the sense of function and mechanism to the word.
• 构 (gòu): Means “to construct,” “to form,” or “structure.” It's composed of the radical for wood (木) and another phonetic component, evoking the idea of building a wooden frame or structure. It contributes the sense of structure and framework.

When combined, 机构 (jīgòu) literally translates to a “mechanism-structure.” This perfectly captures the modern meaning: an entity with a defined internal structure (构) that performs a specific function (机).

In a society like China that places a high value on order, hierarchy, and established systems, the concept of 机构 (jīgòu) is fundamental. It represents legitimacy, authority, and the formal channels through which things get done. A useful comparison is to the English word “organization.” While “organization” can refer to anything from a local book club to a multinational corporation, 机构 (jīgòu) is almost exclusively used for entities with a more formal, official, or established presence. A casual club would be a `组织 (zǔzhī)`, but the government bureau that registers it is a 机构. This distinction reflects a cultural tendency to clearly delineate between informal social groups and formal, state-recognized or corporate entities. Knowing which 机构 to deal with—be it for a visa, a business license, or a loan—is a crucial part of life and business in China. It's tied to the value of navigating the system correctly and showing respect for official structures.

机构 is a formal and widely used term, appearing frequently in news, official documents, business, and education. It's a descriptor, so its connotation is generally neutral.

• Government and Administration: This is one of its most common uses.
  • `政府机构 (zhèngfǔ jīgòu)` - Government agency/body
  • `司法机构 (sīfǎ jīgòu)` - Judicial body
  • `执法机构 (zhífǎ jīgòu)` - Law enforcement agency
• Business and Finance:
  • `金融机构 (jīnróng jīgòu)` - Financial institution (e.g., banks, insurance companies)
  • `投资机构 (tóuzī jīgòu)` - Investment institution/firm
• Other Sectors:
  • `教育机构 (jiàoyù jīgòu)` - Educational institution (e.g., a tutoring center, a university)
  • `医疗机构 (yīliáo jīgòu)` - Medical institution/facility (e.g., a hospital, a clinic)
  • `非营利机构 (fēi yínglì jīgòu)` - Non-profit organization
• Internal Structure: It can also refer to the internal structure or setup of a company.
  • `公司正在调整其内部机构。 (Gōngsī zhèngzài tiáozhěng qí nèibù jīgòu.)` - The company is adjusting its internal structure.

• Example 1:
  • 银行是一种重要的金融机构。
  • Pinyin: Yínháng shì yī zhǒng zhòngyào de jīnróng jīgòu.
  • English: Banks are an important type of financial institution.
  • Analysis: This is a classic textbook example, categorizing a bank (银行) as a type of 金融机构 (financial institution).
• Example 2:
  • 他在一家政府机构工作。
  • Pinyin: Tā zài yī jiā zhèngfǔ jīgòu gōngzuò.
  • English: He works in a government agency.
  • Analysis: This clearly shows the use of 机构 for official, state-run bodies. Note the measure word `家 (jiā)`, which is commonly used for institutions and companies.
• Example 3:
  • 很多家长会送孩子去课外辅导机构。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō jiāzhǎng huì sòng háizi qù kèwài fǔdǎo jīgòu.
  • English: Many parents will send their children to after-school tutoring institutions.
  • Analysis: This shows that 机构 isn't just for government or finance. Any formalized service provider, like a tutoring center, is also a 机构.
• Example 4:
  • 联合国是世界上最大的国际机构。
  • Pinyin: Liánhéguó shì shìjiè shàng zuì dà de guójì jīgòu.
  • English: The United Nations is the world's largest international organization.
  • Analysis: The term scales up easily to describe large, multinational bodies.
• Example 5:
  • 这家医疗机构的声誉很好。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā yīliáo jīgòu de shēngyù hěn hǎo.
  • English: This medical institution has a very good reputation.
  • Analysis: Here, 机构 refers to a hospital or clinic. `声誉 (shēngyù)` means “reputation.”
• Example 6:
  • 我们是一个帮助残疾人的慈善机构。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen shì yī gè bāngzhù cánjírén de císhàn jīgòu.
  • English: We are a charitable organization that helps disabled people.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates its use for non-profits and charities (`慈善机构`). The measure word `个 (gè)` can also be used, though `家 (jiā)` is also common.
• Example 7:
  • 这个项目是由多个机构合作完成的。
  • Pinyin: Zhè ge xiàngmù shì yóu duō ge jīgòu hézuò wánchéng de.
  • English: This project was completed through the cooperation of multiple organizations.
  • Analysis: `由…完成 (yóu…wánchéng)` is a common structure meaning “done by…”. This sentence highlights collaboration between different entities.
• Example 8:
  • 公司的内部机构非常复杂。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī de nèibù jīgòu fēicháng fùzá.
  • English: The company's internal structure is very complex.
  • Analysis: This shows the secondary meaning of 机构 as “structure” or “setup,” not just an external entity.
• Example 9:
  • 你需要联系哪个机构才能办理这个手续？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xūyào liánxì nǎge jīgòu cáinéng bànlǐ zhège shǒuxù?
  • English: Which agency do you need to contact in order to handle this procedure?
  • Analysis: A very practical question for anyone trying to get something done in China. `办理手续 (bànlǐ shǒuxù)` means “to go through procedures.”
• Example 10:
  • 这家研究机构发表了一份重要的报告。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā yánjiū jīgòu fābiǎo le yī fèn zhòngyào de bàogào.
  • English: This research institute published an important report.
  • Analysis: `研究机构 (yánjiū jīgòu)` is a research institute, another common type of organization. `发表 (fābiǎo)` means “to publish” or “to issue.”

• 机构 (jīgòu) vs. 公司 (gōngsī): This is a key distinction. `公司 (gōngsī)` means “company” and specifically refers to a for-profit business. All companies are a type of 机构, but not all 机构 are companies. A government bureau is a 机构, but it is not a `公司`.
  • Incorrect: 这是政府的公司。 (Zhè shì zhèngfǔ de gōngsī.)
  • Correct: 这是政府的机构。 (Zhè shì zhèngfǔ de jīgòu.)
• 机构 (jīgòu) vs. 组织 (zǔzhī): `组织 (zǔzhī)` is a broader and often less formal term. It can also be a verb (“to organize”). A student club, a protest group, or an informal association are all `组织`. Calling a book club a 机构 would sound strange and overly bureaucratic. 机构 implies a formal, established, and often registered entity with a physical presence and official function. Think of 机构 as a subset of `组织`.

• `公司 (gōngsī)` - Company; corporation. A specific type of for-profit 机构.
• `单位 (dānwèi)` - Work unit. A very common term for one's place of employment, especially state-owned or public ones. Your `单位` is your specific 机构.
• `组织 (zǔzhī)` - Organization; to organize. A broader, sometimes less formal term than 机构.
• `部门 (bùmén)` - Department; branch. A smaller division within a larger 机构 or `公司`.
• `企业 (qǐyè)` - Enterprise; business. A general term for a business, often used in formal or economic contexts. Similar to `公司`.
• `政府 (zhèngfǔ)` - Government. The overarching entity that is made up of many `政府机构`.
• `团体 (tuántǐ)` - Group; team; organization. Often used for social groups, associations, or delegations. Less formal than 机构.
• `办事处 (bànshìchù)` - Office; agency. A specific location or branch set up to handle business, often for a larger 机构.